Arsenal: Emile Smith Rowe Inspires Isco Reassessment

Emile Smith Rowe has been outstanding for Arsenal in just 231 minutes of football.

Across his last three Arsenal appearances Emile Smith Rowe has made such an impression that fans had briefly forgotten how utterly atrocious this season has been.

Making a surprise start against Chelsea and helping inspire his side to a 3-1 win was followed up by a stirring display in the 1-0 victory over Brighton, although he had his best game in an Arsenal shirt to date with a superb outing in the 4-0 romp over West Brom.

Mikel Arteta‘s insistence to field the wrong players for the wrong positions was born out of an urge to play names over profiles. The decision to offer the creative slot in the side to someone built to operate there has made a startling difference. Playing any No. 10 in the advanced midfield slot would have sparked, at least, a change of approach, but Smith Rowe is not just any No. 10.

He’s been exceptional.

This is someone who understands space better than Neil deGrasse Tyson. No other available members of the squad know how to manipulate gaps in the pitch and use them to their side’s advantage quite like Smith Rowe.

Having the vision is a start; possessing the awareness and technical ability is another matter entirely. The 20-year-old scans the pitch relentlessly, always in tune with the movements of his teammates and the positions of the opposition.

Turning on a sixpence, he can receive the ball and shift into a forward action with one drop of the shoulder, immediately putting his side on the front foot. Crucially, his eye is always on the opposition goal. Once that ball leaves his foot, he shifts into the next available gap from which to continue building.

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1345520373660577794

Arsenal’s second goal of the night fully embodied all of those traits. Spacial awareness meant he knew exactly where Bukayo Saka was, wonderfully flicking the ball into his path and immediately bursting forward. Continuing his run, he collected the return from Alexandre Lacazette in his stride with a delectable touch on the outside of his left boot, before putting it on a plate for Saka to tap home.

Creative problem? What creative problem?

It’s been made clear by all affiliated with the club that they’re in the market for another creative midfielder this January, although the latest speculation suggests Mikel Arteta has something else on his mind.

Mikel Arteta Pulls Plug on Isco

So good has Smith Rowe been in the last thee fixtures that Arteta has dropped his interest in Real Madrid’s Isco.

Dazzled by the impact the Croydon midfielder has made in north London, major Spanish outlet AS report that the Isco case is one Arsenal will no longer pursue. Having been desperate for outside sources to aid their creative plight, the answer has seemingly come internally.

Who’d have thought?

The above has played a major role in the decision to back off Isco’s case, but so too has the interest from Sevilla, who now look certain to secure the Spaniard in the winter window. Arsenal don’t intend to get involved in a bidding war with Julen Lopetegui‘s side, whether for a loan or otherwise, especially considering the strong relationship between the manager and the 28-year-old.

Isco’s profile suited what Arteta wanted, but adding him into the fold in north London would have succeeded only in stifling the progress Smith Rowe is showing in the Premier League. Playing with a confidence unlike ever before in his career to date, adding the four-time Champions League winner, even temporarily, could halt that.

Despite the claims by AS, Arteta spoke after the Brighton win of sticking to the January plan despite the upturn in form:

"“The last few results won’t change our approach to the window,” he told Goal."

Smith Rowe is the future of this club, but he can’t assume this role all on his own. Arsenal need more creative options in their side. Bringing in a stop-gap for the remainder of the season is still a wise option, even just as backup for a player with a chequered injury past.

However, it has to be the right player. Promoting from the academy is a wiser option than any old No. 10 who someone else isn’t fond of. Instead of temporarily filling holes with whatever is available, operate with an eye on the summer where permanent deals can be made.

Finding someone with the ability, who won’t need an extended bedding in period, won’t bankrupt the club and is willing to join and play second fiddle…yeah, that’s no easy task. Smith Rowe will need help, just make sure it’s suitable aid.

Wow. Three games later and the talk is about who can support Smith Rowe, not the other way around. What a magnificent talent this young man is.